Pages

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Goodreads summary:
When high school junior Natalie-or Dr. Aphrodite, as she calls herself when writing the relationship column for her school paper-is accused of knowing nothing about guys and giving girls bad relationship advice, she decides to investigate what guys really think and want. But the guys in her class won't give her straight or serious answers. The only solution? Disguising herself as a guy and spending a week at Underwood Academy, the private all-boy boarding school in town. There she learns a lot about guys and girls in ways she never expected-especially when she falls for her dreamy roommate, Emilio. How can she show him she likes him without blowing her cover?

My review:
Wow. This book was hilarious! I literally laughed out loud multiple times throughout this book.
This was a very creative plot that moves very quickly. I wish we could have gotten to know more of the character's personalities, but I know that is hard to know with the way the book is set up. There are lots of important characters in the story, so it is hard to get too in detail with each one. I think Jody did a great job though.
I loved the romance. There was such an immediate chemistry between them! Loved it!

Monday, October 29, 2012

Goodreads Summary:
Bronte Talbott follows all of the exploits of the British royals. After all, they're the world's most preeminent dysfunctional family. And who is she to judge? Bronte's own search for love isn't going all that well, especially after her smooth-talking Texan boyfriend abruptly leaves her in the dust.

Bronte keeps a lookout for a rebound to help mend her broken heart, and when she meets Max Heyworth, she's certain he's the perfect transition man. But when she discovers he's a duke, she has to decide if she wants to stay with him for the long haul and deal with the opportunities-- and challenges-- of becoming a royal.

My review:
For some reason I thought this was going to be a YA book. It was not and I was taken aback by that at first. Once I got into the book, I really started to enjoy it though. It was a cute book, and I loved the storyline. Who doesn't want to fall in love only to realize that he is part of the royal family?! I think we all dream of being royalty at some point in our lives. Max was so sweet to her and I loved that. I really enjoyed their interactions. Overall this book was really good.
I did have some problems with it though. Apparently Bronte was obsessed with royalty when she was younger. That is only mentioned once in the whole book though. I wish that fact would have been more intertwined with her current life. For example, how her old obsession with royalty made her feel now that she was dating royalty. I also thought that this book went by really slowly. By the second half of the book I was having to force myself to finish the book. There is also quite a bit of language.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Goodreads summary:
Taylor Caldwell can't decide if she wants to kiss her new college roommate or punch him.

On the one hand, Hunter Zaccadelli is a handsome, blue-eyed bundle of charm. On the other, he's a tattooed, guitar-playing bundle of bad boy. Maybe that's why Taylor's afraid of falling in love with him, or anyone else. She doesn't want to get burned, and even though her other roommates adore him, she wants him gone before it's too late.

Hunter himself has been been burned before, but the fact that Taylor calls him out on his crap and has the sexiest laugh ever make him decide maybe love isn't a lost cause. They make a bet: if she can convince him she truly loves or hates him, he'll leave the apartment--and leave her alone. The problem is, the more time they spend together, the less she hates him, and the more she moves toward love.

But when the man who holds the key to Taylor's fear of giving up her heart resurfaces and threatens to wreck everything, she has to decide: trust Hunter with her greatest secret, or do everything in her power to win that bet and drive him away forever.

My review:
I loved this book. I was so attached to it, and read it in just a couple hours. Being in college, I really enjoyed reading a book that takes place in college. While parts of my life were very different from the characters in the book, there were also some things that I can relate to. It is always fun to read about someone close to your age.
The plot was very interesting and though somewhat predictable, kept me interested. I loved the romance aspect. Taylor and Hunter's chemistry literally leaps off the page from the first chapter. I really enjoyed their interactions and seeing the sweet side of Hunter.
The ending kind of disappointed me though. I honestly don't know why. It was a good ending, I think I was just expecting a little bit more. Other than that, I really loved this book and would recommend it. There are some language and sex scenes in it, so I would not recommend it for younger teens.

4 stars
I received this book for review in return for an honest review.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Goodreads summary:
One kiss from Tinka's sparkling lips leads to some unexpected consequences for the callous boys of Portage High School. After a secret romance goes up in flames, she looks to a fortune teller for answers on finding true love, which leads to the summoning of some accidental--but hilarious-magic. But in the end, Tinka has to learn to take responsibility for her own decisions, with or without the aid of magic.

My review:
This book was not at all what I was expecting, which is partially my fault. First of all, it is like a comic book. Not the type of book I would choose to read. Second, it was very odd. The plot was very weird as well. I am not going to give this book an exact rating because I don't think it would be fair. I greatly disliked this book, but it is not what I thought it would be, and is not the type of book I usually read. I don't think it would be fair to rate this book because I did not look into it before I requested it and began to read. If you like graphic novels though, you might want to look into this!

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Goodreads summary:
No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk.

Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again.

Four brothers. Four straws. One bride. Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she determines to stand by his side against the enemy that threatens them both. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride?

My review:
This book came out on June first and honestly I am ashamed that I just now read it. Karen has become one of my favorite authors, and I have been looking forward to this book for over a year. Now that I have read it I can say that it was just as good as I expected it to be.
I love how Karen's writing is always so pure while still keeping that spark of romance alive and obvious in her books. I love the romance in this book. It is so sweet and tender. They are uncertain of the other one's feeling while their own feelings keep growing stronger and stronger.
I loved seeing Travis' sweet and romantic side come out. So cool to see how a woman can affect him and change him so much. While at the same time, he maintains his strength and masculinity. Love it.
I also really enjoyed reading about Travis' brothers and what they thought about the situation. The were not the main characters, but I found myself interested in them just as much. That was important because I hate when I want to skip certain parts in the story to get back to the main characters.
This book was written very well, and I really enjoyed it. I will definitely be rereading it, and highly recommend it.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Goodreads summary:
Torn by her love for a handsome aristocrat, a young slave girl clings to her faith in the living God for deliverance from the forces of decadent Rome.

My review:
Francine Rivers will never cease to amaze me. This was my eighth book to read of hers, and I have not been disappointed by her yet. This book had a lot more history in it, and could get a little boring occasionally. However, I think all the history was helpful in understanding the rest of the story. This IS a historical book after all. I loved everything else about this book and you will too. I highly recommend it.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Sorry I've have not been posting very often. School has to come first, and October is a really busy month for me. Hopefully things will lighten up in the next few weeks. I still have some posts coming up so don't give up on me yet! :)

Friday, October 12, 2012

Summary:
Payton Archer's best friend, Claire, strives to be perfect in every way. Payton doesn't and this is her story.

Nick Hawke likes his car fast and his girls even faster. He blows through females quicker than his muscle car races down the "The Strip" in Collinsville and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Determined to avoid the devastation he has watched his father endure in the aftermath of his mother leaving, he believes there is no room in his life or his heart for a relationship lasting more than one night. He seeks happiness in things that won’t let him down...fast cars, adrenaline and one night stands. To his absolute dismay, all of that changes when he unexpectedly runs into an old friend and is introduced to Payton Archer, the first girl he ever wanted for more than one night. There’s only one catch...she is completely immune to him and his smooth talking ways.

Payton Archer is looking for what Claire has with Jessie, but she has given up on finding it...at least until she leaves for college in the Fall because she is certain that is where she will find the perfect guy to fit into her perfect world. She plans on Summer being nothing but three uneventful months of fun, but it turns out to be anything but ordinary when Payton is introduced to Nick Hawke, one of Jessie’s old Collinsville friends. She is shocked by her immediate and intense attraction for “Hawke” because nothing about him is what Payton is looking for. Sure, he’s hot and sexy but he comes from Collinsville and that is definitely not on her list of prerequisites. Everything about him makes Payton’s heart speed because he is exciting and dangerous, but his fast car and the dangerous chances he takes aren't what scares Payton the most...it’s the way Nick Hawke makes her feel every time he looks at her. Can Payton find that moment of total fearlessness and make the decision to leave the safe, shallow end of love to risk going under completely?

My review:
What a great sequel to an awesome book! Often times, I think the second book in a series can be disappointing, but that is not the case here. This was just what I wanted in this series. I was not sure how she would continue the series, but she pulled it off. I loved still having the characters from the first book in the story, but also getting to here someone else's story.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Message from Michele:
I'm thrilled to announce the birth of my newest book, The Twelve Days to Christmas! She arrived on 11th October, 2012 at 12.01am after a fairly easy labour, weighing in at 120 pages. Author and book are doing fine and her big sisters, Single in the City and Misfortune Cookie, can't wait to welcome her into the family.

Here she is ... I think she looks a bit like me, don't you?

And since my first-born, Little Sacrifices (which of course I love just as much as his sisters) is feeling a little left out after all the chick-lit fuss around The Twelve Days' arrival, I'd like to offer everyone this 50% off gift voucher. If you'd like Little Sacrifices, go to Smashwords by November 11th and enter voucher code LH58H. He's available globally in all eBook formats.

Stocking stuffers for friends
If you're thinking about cheap and cheerful personalized gifts, I'd love to inscribe books for your friends and family. I can inscribe eBooks through www.kindlegraph.com (add your friend's kindle or email address and a note so I know who it's from/to). And I can inscribe bookplates that you stick into the front of the paperbacks too; just go here to make a request and I'll pop it in the post to you: http://michelegorman.co.uk/Bookplates.html

Book Blurb:
"What if his proposal had an expiration date?"

Hannah’s in a bit of a pickle. In twelve days she flies from Hong Kong to the US with Sam, where he’s finally going to meet her parents… and ask to marry her.
Since overcoming a rather rocky patch in their relationship (which was totally his fault), he really is a new man, and they’re completely in love. The problem is, she feels panicky every time she contemplates matrimony. Which is perfectly normal, isn’t it? Isn’t it?! She has no idea but she’s got to find out before he pops the question... because she’s not 100% sure she’s going to say yes. Which will make for a very uncomfortable family holiday. He’s got to ask her before they go. So Operation Proposal begins.
As time ticks down to their flight, Hannah realizes that her own secrets are threatening their future. Before she can be happy with Sam, she’s got a lot to learn about herself in the twelve days to Christmas.

This is a novella of 125 pages.

My review:
This book was very cute, and the perfect book to get me in the mood for Christmas. This was the first book I have read by Michele, and now I am really looking forward to reading her other books. At times I struggled to stay interested in this story, but overall I really enjoyed it. It was funny too which is something I enjoy in books.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Goodreads summary:
Woodrow G. Washingtail is back and ready to get to work as Commander-in-Cheese of the United Mice of America! A follow-up to Woodrow for President, Woodrow, the White House Mouse teaches children about the presidency, as well as the art, architecture and history of the White House. Written and illustrated by the bestselling and award-winning duo, Peter and Cheryl Barnes, Woodrow, the White House Mouse delights and amuses children as they learn about everything from inauguration day and the president’s duties to the Easter egg roll and the East Wing. Perfect for kids 5-8 years old, children will be educated and entertained as President Washingtail and his family work and play in the greatest mouse house of all.

My review:
This is such a great book for young kids! It is great for them to read, and even just explore. There is so much good information in it that kids need to learn, and the best part is that this book makes it fun! I am teaching citizenship with my students this week, and there is a great chance that I will use this book in one of my lessons. What a great resource for teachers!

Monday, October 8, 2012

Book Blurb:
Meena has a secret guarded closely by her family—a secret as dangerous as the sea, and buried just as deep. When court appointed community service workers are assigned to Flukes, the family-owned animal sanctuary, everyone is on high alert. It doesn’t help that Meena finds herself attracted to sexy-as-sin Blake Weathering, one of the new workers. If he wasn’t so distracting, she might be able to land Flukes a much-needed cruise line contract.

Blake Weathering, the first in his family to attend public school, has developed a tough image. Unfortunately it lands him in trouble. Now banned from his high school graduation ceremony, getting his diploma is dependent upon a community service gig cleaning fish crap. No diploma, no trust fund fortune—and no way to escape his overbearing father. The last thing he needs is the distraction of a mysterious girl with teal eyes who pulls at his heart strings.

When Blake discovers Meena’s secret, they are both thrown into a desperate search for information about her past. Two worlds pull them in opposite directions, and they will have to fight to hold onto all that really matters.

Author Info:
Nichole Chase is a daydreamer.

No, really, just ask any of the math teachers that had the misfortune of seeing her name appear on their class schedule.

For years she has had story lines and characters begging for attention, but she resolutely pushed them aside to focus on more normal (read, boring) jobs. Well, no longer She is currently heeding the voices in her head and frantically writing their stories. Nichole resides in South Georgia with her husband, energetic toddler, crazy dog, and two cats.

Nichole is the author of the Dark Betrayal Trilogy, Flukes, and the upcoming Suddenly Royal. When not devouring novels by the dozens, you may find her writing, painting, crafting, or chasing her daughter around the house while making monster noises.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Book Description:
When you're lost, sometimes the only place you can go is home.

Broken over the death of her fiancé, Molly leaves law school to return to her childhood home in North Carolina. Expecting to lay low until she can figure out what else to do with her life, she finds herself in the arms of her high school sweetheart, the boy who represents everything from the past she tried to leave behind.

Looking for an escape, she instead finds a way back to the girl she almost forgot existed and a future she never dreamed possible.

About the Author:
Alyssa Rose Ivy is a Young Adult and New Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.

My Review:
What an awesome book! This was my first book to read by Alyssa, but it definitely will not be my last! I was completely captivated by this book. The love story was so great. The characters are a huge part of what make it so great, but the romance is definitely my favorite part. At the same time, there were parts that were intense and sad, but they were written very well.
Such an awesome book that I will definitely be rereading!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Book description:
Jessie Boone is a self proclaimed bad boy and doesn’t march to the beat of anyone’s drum, but his own. Growing up in less than desirable circumstances has made him no stranger to the hard knock life and his determination to leave it behind is fierce. When he finds himself transferred to East Franklin High School, he sees his opportunity to use his athletic ability to snag a college football scholarship, but Forbes Henderson, the player Jessie means to replace isn’t giving up his spot willingly. In fact, Forbes is willing to go to extreme measures to retain his place as first string quarterback. When Forbes’ malicious plan to injure his replacement fails, Jessie is furious and determined to show him he messed with the wrong person; not only is he going to take the position of first string quarterback, he’s going to take his girl, too.

Claire Deveraux is perfection at it’s best. She is beautiful, intelligent and unaware she just became Jessie Boone’s conquest as revenge against her boyfriend, Forbes Henderson. Like her flawless performance as the perfect daughter and student, Claire’s production of being the perfect girlfriend has everyone fooled, except Jessie Boone, and she fears this tattooed bad boy will see her secret desire to explore his crude threats and promises to rock her perfect world. If she decides to give in to one uninhibited moment with Jessie, will she learn too late that it was all an act of vengeance or will Jessie learn the taste of first love is sweeter than that of revenge?

My review:
I loved this book!! It reminded me a little bit of Pushing the Limits with the whole bad boy thing. However, they are different books and were both great. Going Under had my full attention while I was reading it. It was heartbreaking at times, and sweet at other times. My emotions really were on a roller coaster throughout this book.
There were times I would get frustrated with the characters, but not in a bad way. It was necessary for the characters to act like that in order for the book to proceed the way that it did. I think it also shows how invested I was in the book that I was getting frustrated with the way they were acting towards each other.
I thought this was a great book that I would read again. I really liked the ending, but I did not think it was much of a cliffhanger. I am not sure what could happen in the second book. I guess I will find out when I do a tour for it next week!!

5 stars

I received this book for free in return for an honest review.

US Only: (2) Signed print copies of GOING UNDER (2) GOING UNDER T-Shirts

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Goodreads summary:
Pop quiz: What would you do if you had to solve your own murder to get anywhere in death?

Maybe if I hadn't slept through my alarm, slammed into Kristin--my high school's reigning mean

girl--or stepped in a puddle, destroying my mom's new suede DVF boots (which I borrowed without asking), I wouldn't have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, and I wouldn't have been pushed in front of that arriving train. But I did, and I was.

When I came to, I was informed by a group of girls that I'm dead. And that because I died under mysterious circumstances, I can't pass straight over to the Other Side. But at least I'm not alone. Meet the Dead Girls Detective Agency: Nancy, Lorna, and Tess--not to mention Edison, the really cute if slightly hostile dead boy. Apparently, the only way out of this limbo is to figure out who killed me, or I'll have to spend eternity playing Nancy Drew. Considering I was fairly invisible in life, who could hate me enough to want me dead? And what if my murderer is someone I never would have suspected?

My review:
This book was so cute. I don't enjoy scary books at all, so I was a little concerned about a book that had both the words "dead" and "detective" in the title. I had nothing to be worried about though. This book is not scary at all, and it really hilarious at times.

The author really put a lot of thought into what all the ghosts in this story can do, and how they can do it. I really appreciated this, because it made the story seem more authentic. I also really liked how she included things from real life and explained that they happened because of something having to do with a ghost (for example- deja vu).

The characters started to annoy me at times, and did not really ever change. I really liked Ed though. He was the bad boy who kept things interesting. It was nice to get to see his vulnerable side a little bit, but I wish we could have seen more of that from him.

I really liked the ending. I thought it was a great way to wrap up the story, with the reading wanting just a little bit more. It really allows you to finish the story for yourself. Overall, the story was very creative and fun. It was really cute and I enjoyed reading it.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Goodreads summary:
So, who's Mahogany Slade? Stylish New Yorker Janet can't seem to shake her. Green-haired, tattooed Heather -- normally too cool to be bothered -- can't stand her. Andy, who has an opinion on everything, was never able to figure her out. And Brad, who's waiting for his life to start, might just love her if he could ever see past Janet.

Set in Athens, Georgia, "Mahogany Slade" is the romantic yet acerbic story of young people escaping themselves in a town where your identity is everything. It’s as sweet as Janet finds Brad and as irresistible as he finds her.

My review:
This book was kind of hard to get into at first, but once I did I couldn't stop reading. This book was so much more than I thought it would be. It is a great love story that kept me constantly wondering what would happen next. This book takes place in college, and that was cool to see. Not many books take place in college nowadays. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

5 stars

I received this book for free in return for an honest review.

Author Info:
Stephen Robinson graduated from the University of Georgia in 1996. He has lived in many places but feels at home somewhere else. He’s written for newspapers and magazines. Mahogany Slade is his first work of fiction.